Help repopulate WA ecosystems
HELP REPOPULATE WA ECOSYSTEMS WITH NATIVE WILDLIFE
Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program (NSBP) is returning endangered native animals to WA ecosystems. Your support helps wildlife populations recover for future generations.
Your donation can help breed more animals and give our wildlife an even better future.
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Over 6,000 native animals released back into WA ecosystems
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30+ years breeding and conserving WA wildlife
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Critically endangered species brought back from the brink
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One animal released today can mean thousands in the future
YOUR DONATION MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE
WE'VE SHOWN WHAT'S POSSIBLE
For more than 30 years, Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program has quietly and persistently worked to repopulate protected habitats across WA with native wildlife.
Behind the scenes, hundreds of native animals are being bred and reared at Perth Zoo through the Perth Zoo Science Program.
To date, more than 6,000 native animals have been released back into ecosystems, which is driving species recovery and working to restore biodiversity across WA.
THE SPECIES WE ARE FIGHTING FOR
Breeding programs are used when wild populations are too small or fragile to recover on their own. For each of these species, breeding or protected rearing has been identified as a critical mechanism to prevent extinction, rebuild numbers, and support long term recovery in the wild.
Western Swamp Turtle
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- One of the most endangered reptiles in Australia.
- Found only in WA, in a 3–5 km strip of the Swan Coastal Plain.
- Feared extinct for over 100 years, then rediscovered in 1953.
- Known wild population fell as low as 30 animals.
- Breeding program at Perth Zoo commenced in 1989.
- 1,125 Zoo-bred animals released to date.
Our partners: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Team, Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise.
White-bellied Frog
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- One of Australia’s tiniest amphibians - newborns no bigger than a single Rice Bubble.
- Found only in WA, within a very limited distribution near Margaret River.
- "Head-start" (protected rearing) and breed-for-release program at Perth Zoo commenced in 2008.
- 1,553 Zoo-bred and reared animals released to date
Our partners: DBCA and Geocrinia Recovery Team.
Numbat
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- Western Australia’s mammal emblem.
- Historical range spanned WA, NSW, SA and NT.
- Original wild populations found only in pockets of woodland in the Dryandra and Perup forests in the south-west of WA.
- Breed for release program at Perth Zoo commenced in 1987.
- In the 1980s, there were only around 300 numbats left in the wild; today, there are some 2,000 individuals in total.
- 325 Zoo-bred numbats released back into the wild to date.
Our partners: DBCA, Numbat Recovery Team, Project Numbat, Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten Stuttgart.
Hairy Marron
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- One of the largest freshwater crayfish species in the world.
- Found only in WA, in fresh water in and near Margaret River.
- Wild populations have declined dramatically due to competition and hybridisation with the smooth marron.
- Breed for release program at Perth Zoo commenced in 2022.
- More than 263 craylings hatched through the program to date.
Our partners: DBCA, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
ONE MORE ANIMAL RELEASED TODAY CAN MEAN HUNDREDS IN THE FUTURE
Just one female Numbat bred by Perth Zoo and released into protected habitat can then go on to produce 16 Numbat joeys in her lifetime. Just one female Western Swamp Turtle released has the potential to produce over 100 first‑generation hatchlings over her lifespan.
Any increase in the number of native animals that Perth Zoo can breed and release has a flow on impact on WA’s native species populations that will be felt for generations to come.
WITH YOUR DONATION, WE CAN GO FURTHER
Through our efforts, we have been able to prevent extinction of some of the most vulnerable species, which is a huge achievement. However, we are now striving to make them thrive once again.
Perth Zoo is investing in redeveloping our Native Species Breeding Program precinct with new facilities designed to increase our breeding capacity. Your donation will help us go beyond the new infrastructure and:
- Strengthen nutrition and veterinary care programs
- Expand genetic research
- Create additional/enhanced specialised breeding environments
- Increase monitoring of released populations
Please know that any contribution you make that is significant to you is very significant to us, and we would be hugely grateful. Your support will directly enable more animals to be bred, successfully raised, and released back into secure habitats.
OUR BREEDING PROGRAMS ARE PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL
The program has contributed to stabilising — and in some cases increasing — populations of species that were once at risk of extinction. After 26 years, more than 1,173 Dibblers were bred at the Zoo and released into the wild. This breeding program was instrumental in rescuing the endangered marsupial from extinction. The final cohort were released onto Dirk Hartog Island, as part of a large fauna reconstruction project.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
+ Where exactly will my donation go?
Donations to this appeal will support the Native Species Breeding Program, helping fund things like research, genetic testing, specialised veterinary care, breeding technology, enrichment, and species-specific nutrition all of which directly improve breeding outcomes.
+ Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, Perth Zoo (ABN: 12 249 686 526) is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) under Categories 1 and 4, allowing Australian taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for donations of $2 or more. Your tax receipt will be shared via email following your donation. To see our Donation Terms click here.
+ Can I donate in another way?
If you’d like to donate in another way (than the secure donation pathway provided above), please reach out to us via email at thriving@perthzoo.wa.gov.au. We will talk through another option that suits you.
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Contact
If you’d like any more information on this fundraising effort, or how to get involved in the Native Species Breeding Program at Perth Zoo, contact our team via email at thriving@perthzoo.wa.gov.au .